Research and Evaluation (ResEv)

John Schuh, Program Coordinator

The research and evaluation program prepares professionals to work in the areas of assessment and program evaluation, and educational research with emphasis on statistics and computer applications. Work is offered toward the master of science degree with thesis. Graduates of the program can articulate current issues and principles in research, program evaluation and assessment. They can implement various research and assessment approaches and evaluation models. They understand and effectively use principles and skills of research data analysis, and they prepare and interpret accurate and useful reports.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students

ResEv 550. Educational Research
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate classification. Understanding the nature of quantitative and qualitative research; reviewing the literature; developing research problems and questions; research designs; data collection and analysis issues; evaluating research studies.

ResEv 552. Basic Educational Statistics
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 550. Statistical concepts and procedures for analyzing educational data. Descriptive statistics, correlation, t tests, and chi square with computer applications.

ResEv 553. Intermediate Educational Statistics
(2-1) Cr. 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: 552. A continuation of statistical concepts and procedures for analyzing educational data. Inferential techniques including simple and multiple regression, multiple ANOVA, etc., with educational computer applications.

ResEv 554. Intermediate Research Methods
(3-0) Cr. 3. SS. Prereq: 550, 580, Stat 401 or ResEv 552. Intermediate quantitative and qualitative research methodology in preparation for carrying out thesis and dissertation research. Problem formulation; design; data collection and analysis; interpreting and summarizing research findings.

ResEv 557. Computer Data Analysis Procedures
(2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 552 or equivalent. Processing educational research data including coding, conversion and analysis strategies. Using interactive statistical software such as SPSS to examine, chart, and report findings.

ResEv 560. Assessing Student Learning
(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 550 or basic statistical skills. The purpose and techniques of formal and informal classroom assessment. Rubrics, performance assessment, portfolios, paper and pencil tests, communicating assessment findings. Emphasis on both theory and practical applications.

Resev 580. Qualitative Research Methodology
(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 550. Qualitative research procedures in education, particularly historical, philosophical, biographical, ethnographic, and case study. Use of sources, principles of qualitative research, methods of data collection and analysis, field techniques, and writing of research results.

ResEv 590. Special Topics
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate standing. Guided reading and in research and evaluation study on special topic.

ResEv 593. Workshop
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate standing. Intensive, concentrated exposure to a special educational research or evaluation problem.

ResEv 597. Program Evaluation (Same as Hg Ed 597.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 550. Evaluation models and professional standards. Techniques of evaluating educational programs. Emphasis on both theory and practical applications.

Courses for Graduate Students

ResEv 615. Current Topics in Research and Evaluation
(1-0) Cr. 1; may be taken 3 times. F.S.

ResEv 680. Critical Issues in Interpretive Methodology
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 580. An intensive reading and discussion course focusing on contemporary methodological theory for interpretive inquiry. Examines how interpretive field work is conducted, how narrative and ethnographic data are theorized and analyzed, and how interpretive texts are written.

ResEv 690. Advanced Special Topics
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate standing. Guided reading and/or study on special topics of an advanced nature.

ResEv 699. Research
Cr. arr. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate standing.